MONROVIA – The former Mayor of Monrovia and Secretary General of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Jefferson Tamba Koijee, on Friday, August 16, 2024, issued a scathing statement accusing President Joseph Boakai’s administration of gross human rights violations, political witch-hunting, and undermining national stability. Koijee’s remarks come in response to the recent dismissal of nine employees from the Monrovia City Government, which he claims was ordered by President Boakai himself.
In his statement, Koijee alleged that the Civil Service Agency (CSA) conspired with the Monrovia City Government to unlawfully dismiss legally employed Liberians without cause. He emphasized that these dismissals were politically motivated, targeting individuals based on their perceived political affiliations rather than job performance or misconduct. The CDC Secretary General suggested that the dismissals were part of a larger effort by the Boakai administration to consolidate power by eliminating dissenting voices within the government.
“These dismissals are counterproductive to addressing Liberia’s unemployment crisis and undermine the very fundamental ideas on which Mr. Boakai campaigned to rescue Liberia,” Koijee stated. He argued that the dismissals contradicted the principles of national unity and inclusivity that Boakai had championed during his presidential campaign. According to Koijee, the actions of the Boakai administration are driving a wedge between Liberians, deepening divisions in a country still recovering from years of civil conflict.
Koijee further criticized the Monrovia City Mayor, John Chru-Siafa, for his alleged incompetence, claiming that the mayor’s actions have exacerbated the vulnerabilities of those dismissed and deepened political divisions in the post-election environment. He accused Mayor Chru-Siafa of being a mere pawn in a larger political game, orchestrated by President Boakai, to marginalize those who do not align with the Unity Party’s political agenda. Koijee contended that the mayor’s inability to effectively manage the affairs of Monrovia had directly contributed to the economic and social insecurity of the dismissed employees.
The former mayor also raised concerns about the broader implications of the dismissals, warning that they could trigger a wave of unrest across the country. “These dismissals are not just about politics; they are about the livelihoods of ordinary Liberians who are being punished for their perceived political beliefs,” Koijee said. He cautioned that the dismissals could fuel resentment and lead to widespread protests, potentially destabilizing the nation’s fragile peace.
Koijee argued that the dismissals were part of a broader strategy to silence political opposition and stifle dissent. He accused the Boakai administration of disregarding Liberia’s constitution and international norms, particularly Article 18, which prohibits dismissals based on partisanship or discrimination. He also pointed out that the dismissals violated the Decent Work Act of 2015, which protects workers from unfair termination and ensures their right to due process.
In a particularly strong accusation, Koijee warned those affected not to trust the Liberian legal system, stating, “I can safely state that you should not endeavor to test the court system of Liberia as your only alternative is to seek asylum outside of Liberia—because your dismissals were commissioned by Mr. Boakai.” He claimed that the judiciary, under pressure from the executive branch, was unlikely to provide a fair hearing to those seeking justice against the administration’s actions.
Koijee also criticized Boakai for failing to act against individuals like Mike Jabateh, whom he described as a “self-claimed Russian spy” who had threatened violence against a sitting representative. He suggested that Boakai’s close ties to Jabateh, as evidenced by a recent public photo, reflected the president’s tolerance for lawlessness and selective justice. Koijee argued that the president’s inaction in the face of such threats was indicative of a broader culture of impunity within the Unity Party-led government.
Additionally, Koijee drew attention to Boakai’s track record of violating tenure protections for public officials, citing a Supreme Court ruling in April 2024 that found the president guilty of breaching the law by removing tenured officials. He further accused Boakai of retaliating against the judiciary by cutting its budget in response to the ruling. “When the Supreme Court ruled against him, instead of complying, Boakai chose to cripple the judiciary by reducing its budget, showing his blatant disregard for the rule of law,” Koijee asserted.
Koijee’s statement raised broader concerns about the state of democracy and governance under Boakai, arguing that the administration’s actions were reawakening social tensions and threatening Liberia’s fragile peace. He emphasized that the dismissals were not just about the individuals involved but were indicative of a larger trend of political persecution that could destabilize the entire nation. Koijee warned that if left unchecked, Boakai’s actions could lead to a breakdown of social order and erode the democratic gains Liberia has made in recent years.
The CDC Secretary General called on Liberia’s international partners and civil society organizations to take action, stressing the potential risks posed by Boakai’s leadership. “These dismissals concern our domestic politicking but also have the potential risk of undermining the long-lasting relationship we share with diplomatic missions in Liberia and the business environments,” Koijee cautioned. He urged the international community to hold the Boakai administration accountable for its actions, warning that failure to do so could have dire consequences for Liberia’s stability.
Koijee also highlighted the potential economic impact of the dismissals, arguing that they could deter foreign investment and scare away international development partners. He pointed out that the Monrovia City Government plays a crucial role in maintaining the capital’s infrastructure and services, and that politicizing its operations could have far-reaching consequences. “When the government targets innocent Liberians, sometimes the alternative is citizen action which can deeply hurt the peace of our society,” Koijee warned.
In closing, Koijee referenced the recent history of constitutional crises in West Africa, pointing to countries like Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso, where coups have been sparked by similar governance failures. He urged Liberians to resist Boakai’s “self-seeking political desperados,” declaring that “Liberia’s peace is certainly bigger than Mr. Boakai and his accomplice risky missionaries.” Koijee called on all Liberians, regardless of political affiliation, to stand united in defense of their country’s democracy and rule of law.
Koijee’s remarks underscore the deepening political divisions in Liberia as the country navigates the post-election period, with accusations of political targeting and concerns about governance threatening to destabilize the nation’s progress. The former mayor’s statement is likely to intensify the already heated political climate in Liberia, as the opposition ramps up its criticism of the Boakai administration. Koijee’s strong rhetoric reflects the growing frustration within the CDC and other opposition parties over what they see as an increasingly authoritarian government.
As the political situation in Liberia continues to evolve, Koijee’s statement serves as a reminder of the challenges facing the country’s leadership in maintaining national unity and stability. With tensions rising and the opposition growing more vocal in its criticisms, the coming months are likely to be a critical period for Liberia’s democracy. The international community will be closely watching how the Boakai administration responds to these challenges, and whether it can navigate the political landscape without further eroding public trust and confidence in the government.
